The Heat Pumps Now Community Heroes programme recognized Mary-Ellen Wilson this week with a Honeypot Café voucher and morning tea for her and her colleagues, because of her services to Volunteering Canterbury, Willowbank, and the Red Cross.

Director of Heat Pumps Now Blair Ashdowne started the Community Heroes scheme to reward one person each month volunteering in the community. People can nominate anyone based in Christchurch engaging in unpaid work that benefits others, and the winners are chosen at random from all submissions.

“Community is at the heart of Heat Pumps Now. I got into this business to help my family, friends and neighbours with their home heating solutions,” says Blair. “Thanks to their support, and help from the Honeypot Cafe, I can give something back.”

“After the earthquakes there was a massive surge in volunteerism and lots of coverage of it. As time’s gone on it’s not quite as widespread, but I still hear of people going above and beyond for no other reason than to give someone else a hand,” says Blair.

Volunteering Canterbury Manager, Ruth Gardner nominated Mary-Ellen. “We have our own programmes for rewarding volunteers, but we can’t to nominate anyone from our own organisation for those. It’s great someone else is recognizing the efforts of people like Mary-Ellen who are volunteering and making our community better.”

“I had no idea I’d been nominated,” says Mary-Ellen. “It was a big surprise, but I’m really thrilled to have been recognized like this. Plus my colleagues really appreciated the morning tea Heat Pumps Now provided.”

Nominations are open for this months Community Hero award. People can submit their entries via the contact form at www.heatpumpsnow.co.nz

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For further information about Heat Pumps NOW and the Community Heroes programme contact Communications and Marketing Co-Ordinator Cameron Taylor on 0274132990.